A few days ago I had the last of my runner beans that I set in the polytunnel. I had about 20 meals in all so not a disaster by any means. My peas did nothing though and the broad beans which I set at the same time as the runner beans have so far produced nothing at all. I must admit though there are a few pods on. Whether they will grow to produce any edible beans is purely guesswork.
My mate hasn't been here for a month. He was due to call a couple of weeks ago but unfortunately his Partner's Brother suffered a stroke so not surprisingly he took her to see him. He lives on the West Coast. I was pleased to learn that the stroke was not as severe as they first thought and gladly it seems as if he is making good progress. It will take time though.
He rung me up when he arrived home and I immediately asked him if he was O.K? I asked him this because he sounded rough. He told me he thought it was by travelling such a long distance.
He didn't answer my calls on Saturday last week which was unusual but I had a call on Sunday. He did sound poorly and told me he had lay on his Partner's couch all the day before. I told him I didn't expect him over here this week but of course would be welcome.
I normally ask him to get some milk for me but I told him I would get the milk myself. Just as well for he didn't manage to get here this week at all. I only hope he is improving well and that next week he will be here.
I have been collecting leaves that have blown off the many trees that surround me. In fact these are early this year, even more surprising as it has been a very mild Autumn.
Finally for now. My American friend who moved home recently has settled in well. I knew it would be the best move he had made. He joined the Camera Club and now has become the Treasurer. This will give him a added interest. This can only be positive and I am happy for him. It will certainly keep him busy. More soon.
Thursday 30 October 2014
Friday 24 October 2014
Correction
I must first correct myself. On my last blog I said it was well over 50 years ago, that is incorrect. It was well over 40 years ago.
Now to other things.
Yesterday I looked at my guttering and noticed a weed growing so I thought I would investigate. My mate had put some protective stuff on so that leaves would not congregate and block the downpipe. Anyway I went to get some steps and looked into the guttering. I was shocked at just how much moss had gathered and had clung to this gauze type of material.
I decided there and then that I must clean the guttering. I started out the front and was lucky that one piece of guttering was relatively clean but the other was well clogged up. I cleaned it up and noticed the lady next door, the one with the chickens.
I knew they were going on holiday to I think Morocco next months for about 10 days. She called out and asked me if it would be alright if I looked after her chickens for that time. Obviously I said yes.
Incidentally I don't know if I mentioned it but they are going out for Christmas Day lunch for the first time. She actually asked me if I would like to join them, it was nice of her to ask but I declined as I am not confident that my illnesses would allow me to have a decent time of it. Still I did appreciate the thought and thanked her for thinking about me.
Now back to the guttering. I then went round the rear of the property. Almost all the gutters were badly affected and it took me some time to clean them. I finished up with nearly 50% of a wheelbarrow full of moss and debris. Mind you I made a mess taking the stuff out and so today I had to start to clean the facia and guttering's. I have done all the rear UPVC gutters, downpipe and facia. They certainly look a lot better so that now all I have to clean is the front which I may do tomorrow. More soon.
Now to other things.
Yesterday I looked at my guttering and noticed a weed growing so I thought I would investigate. My mate had put some protective stuff on so that leaves would not congregate and block the downpipe. Anyway I went to get some steps and looked into the guttering. I was shocked at just how much moss had gathered and had clung to this gauze type of material.
I decided there and then that I must clean the guttering. I started out the front and was lucky that one piece of guttering was relatively clean but the other was well clogged up. I cleaned it up and noticed the lady next door, the one with the chickens.
I knew they were going on holiday to I think Morocco next months for about 10 days. She called out and asked me if it would be alright if I looked after her chickens for that time. Obviously I said yes.
Incidentally I don't know if I mentioned it but they are going out for Christmas Day lunch for the first time. She actually asked me if I would like to join them, it was nice of her to ask but I declined as I am not confident that my illnesses would allow me to have a decent time of it. Still I did appreciate the thought and thanked her for thinking about me.
Now back to the guttering. I then went round the rear of the property. Almost all the gutters were badly affected and it took me some time to clean them. I finished up with nearly 50% of a wheelbarrow full of moss and debris. Mind you I made a mess taking the stuff out and so today I had to start to clean the facia and guttering's. I have done all the rear UPVC gutters, downpipe and facia. They certainly look a lot better so that now all I have to clean is the front which I may do tomorrow. More soon.
Wednesday 22 October 2014
Remembering
My Best Pal called yesterday to see me, his Wife also came but a little later as she went to walk the dog.
We talked about the old times and when his Wife came to join us he started to tell her all about the old days. He told her how he ordered Coca-Cola. This immediately reminded me of when I first started in Business.
It was well over 50 years ago, before decimal when it was L.s.d. I had just started up and as I have informed you many blogs ago I had a Café which encouraged youngsters to spend what little they had in the Winter, in the Summer they went off to work in Café's Amusements and shops.
The youngsters wanted Coke to drink so I rung up Coca-Cola. They had a depot in Lincoln and they sent the van driver down to see me. He was a young guy and he told me that the Manager had taken him under his wing and showed him the ropes so that eventually he was now in a secure job. He also told me that he was an Orphan and would be ever grateful to the Manager.
He told me that a discount was in operation. I think it was 3d off a case provided you ordered 5 cases. 24 bottles in each case. They were wooden cases and were only about 5" with more than half the bottles showing but they were secure. He suggested that I only order 5 cases to start with. For 10 cases another 3d a case was given and for each subsequent 5 cases up to 50 cases a further 3d. discount was given. He told me that after 50 cases the next level was 200 cases but that was for independent soft drink suppliers who wished to sell coke. He told me that delivery was every 2 weeks from March to September and each 4 weeks from October to February.
Well when he called a couple of weeks later I had more or less sold out and he was impressed. I ordered 10 cases this time. Sure enough I had nearly sold out in the preceding two weeks. He told me that as I was selling so much he would help me by supplying me with a Coca-Cola cooling fridge but told me it was old and he would be taking it out from another site as they only sold about a case every 2 weeks.
The next time he called he bought the fridge, he told me that my sales would improve as nearly all wanted to drink Coke ice cold. He was correct.
Anyway I ordered 50 cases at a time and during the close season the Manager of the depot at Lincoln paid me a visit. He was a great guy and asked if he could do anything for me. I then asked if I could buy in bulk, 200 cases at a time. He flatly refused but I told him the advantage was that during the Winter they would have no need to call on me and that would save time and money. I could see he was considering my proposal and eventually agreed to allow me to purchase the 200 cases in one drop and get the best discount that other soft drink sellers were being charged.
I thought that this was agreed and nothing more would happen.
About a week later the Manager rung me up and told me that he had to go to Head office and explain why he had given a retailer wholesale prices. He told them the reason being that it was going to save money by only calling on me once during the Winter period.
Eventually after a Board meeting it was agreed that from now on ALL participating customers would have the right to purchase up to the 200 case rate if they so decided.
The Manager called to see me a few months later and told me that it was us that had made Coca-Cola to change their purchasing policy and what he told me then was somewhat surprising. He told me that during the Winter months he would contact me and if I didn't need a drop they would give my sleepy Town a miss. He did ring me up more than once and confirmed that the van driver would give the Town a miss that month.
It certainly couldn't happen now, anyway Lincoln closed down and they moved to a Post Mix which was set up like a small public house selling draught beer. It was certainly cheaper as more profit was made that way.
Incidentally the retail cost of a Coca-Cola was 1/-. I used to sell to the locals at a discount I charged 10d. Incidentally what I have written is perfectly true, I never gave it a thought at the time as it was for my benefit that I wanted to get the best deal possible. Those were the days. More soon.
We talked about the old times and when his Wife came to join us he started to tell her all about the old days. He told her how he ordered Coca-Cola. This immediately reminded me of when I first started in Business.
It was well over 50 years ago, before decimal when it was L.s.d. I had just started up and as I have informed you many blogs ago I had a Café which encouraged youngsters to spend what little they had in the Winter, in the Summer they went off to work in Café's Amusements and shops.
The youngsters wanted Coke to drink so I rung up Coca-Cola. They had a depot in Lincoln and they sent the van driver down to see me. He was a young guy and he told me that the Manager had taken him under his wing and showed him the ropes so that eventually he was now in a secure job. He also told me that he was an Orphan and would be ever grateful to the Manager.
He told me that a discount was in operation. I think it was 3d off a case provided you ordered 5 cases. 24 bottles in each case. They were wooden cases and were only about 5" with more than half the bottles showing but they were secure. He suggested that I only order 5 cases to start with. For 10 cases another 3d a case was given and for each subsequent 5 cases up to 50 cases a further 3d. discount was given. He told me that after 50 cases the next level was 200 cases but that was for independent soft drink suppliers who wished to sell coke. He told me that delivery was every 2 weeks from March to September and each 4 weeks from October to February.
Well when he called a couple of weeks later I had more or less sold out and he was impressed. I ordered 10 cases this time. Sure enough I had nearly sold out in the preceding two weeks. He told me that as I was selling so much he would help me by supplying me with a Coca-Cola cooling fridge but told me it was old and he would be taking it out from another site as they only sold about a case every 2 weeks.
The next time he called he bought the fridge, he told me that my sales would improve as nearly all wanted to drink Coke ice cold. He was correct.
Anyway I ordered 50 cases at a time and during the close season the Manager of the depot at Lincoln paid me a visit. He was a great guy and asked if he could do anything for me. I then asked if I could buy in bulk, 200 cases at a time. He flatly refused but I told him the advantage was that during the Winter they would have no need to call on me and that would save time and money. I could see he was considering my proposal and eventually agreed to allow me to purchase the 200 cases in one drop and get the best discount that other soft drink sellers were being charged.
I thought that this was agreed and nothing more would happen.
About a week later the Manager rung me up and told me that he had to go to Head office and explain why he had given a retailer wholesale prices. He told them the reason being that it was going to save money by only calling on me once during the Winter period.
Eventually after a Board meeting it was agreed that from now on ALL participating customers would have the right to purchase up to the 200 case rate if they so decided.
The Manager called to see me a few months later and told me that it was us that had made Coca-Cola to change their purchasing policy and what he told me then was somewhat surprising. He told me that during the Winter months he would contact me and if I didn't need a drop they would give my sleepy Town a miss. He did ring me up more than once and confirmed that the van driver would give the Town a miss that month.
It certainly couldn't happen now, anyway Lincoln closed down and they moved to a Post Mix which was set up like a small public house selling draught beer. It was certainly cheaper as more profit was made that way.
Incidentally the retail cost of a Coca-Cola was 1/-. I used to sell to the locals at a discount I charged 10d. Incidentally what I have written is perfectly true, I never gave it a thought at the time as it was for my benefit that I wanted to get the best deal possible. Those were the days. More soon.
Wednesday 15 October 2014
Bits and bobs
Nothing much has happened to me lately. The weather has been a typical Autumn set, very wet and windy interspersed with some brighter weather but not cold. We seem to have a complete day of heavy rain then a slightly drier day followed once more with torrential rain.
Last week I put my repeat prescription in at the local Surgery expecting a delivery from that day which was on Tuesday. I was disappointed as no delivery was made. On Friday though I had a very sore throat so I thought that on Tuesday when I went shopping I would call in at the chemist and see what had happened to the delivery of my medication also get some tablets for a sore throat.
Off I went and asked if they had a prescription for me and when it was produced I asked why it had not been delivered. The answer was that they had now gone complete computerised and that they had omitted to inform the Chemist that it should be delivered to me. She then told me that I should have rung up. It was no good me informing her that the delivery could be from the same day I posted the repeat prescription to up to 4 days later. The outcome is that I have my tablets for another month.
The other day I was doing a little cleaning of the block paving on my driveway when a guy walked by with a Yorkshire terrier. When he returned he stopped and we had a few words. It was the guy whose Wife had spoken to me a few months earlier stating that it was the first time she had seen anyone at my property. He asked me about my solar panels. I told him that I would recommend anyone who was sited without any obstructions as it was still a good investment. I told him that it was the trees that obstructed my panels and from September to April it made a huge difference. I just added that I hoped that eventually the trees would get the Ash die back. He looked at me and asked if they were Ash trees. I was quite surprised as this was not the first time I was asked what the trees were. When the new neighbours moved in they had no idea as to the tree that was in his garden.
I don't know if it is me but when we were children we were taught the different sorts of native trees that grew. I guess most know the Horse chestnut or more commonly called the conker tree. As the Ash is widely seen in the Country I would expect all to know that as the Oak. Anyway they seem to be indifferent to the variety of trees.
I was having my tea when the doorbell rang. It was the young man from next door, he had bought me some more chicken manure. It was a wheelbarrow full. We spread it on various places of garden and then I told him that it would be enough for now. He did ask me if I needed any eggs, I politely told him that I was O.K. for now. I don't use many eggs.
He did his usual looking in my greenhouse and polytunnel. He noticed that things were beginning to gradually die and he told me that he was soon going to empty the greenhouse of the tomato plants and clean it all up. I will be surprised if he does it all on his own. More soon.
Last week I put my repeat prescription in at the local Surgery expecting a delivery from that day which was on Tuesday. I was disappointed as no delivery was made. On Friday though I had a very sore throat so I thought that on Tuesday when I went shopping I would call in at the chemist and see what had happened to the delivery of my medication also get some tablets for a sore throat.
Off I went and asked if they had a prescription for me and when it was produced I asked why it had not been delivered. The answer was that they had now gone complete computerised and that they had omitted to inform the Chemist that it should be delivered to me. She then told me that I should have rung up. It was no good me informing her that the delivery could be from the same day I posted the repeat prescription to up to 4 days later. The outcome is that I have my tablets for another month.
The other day I was doing a little cleaning of the block paving on my driveway when a guy walked by with a Yorkshire terrier. When he returned he stopped and we had a few words. It was the guy whose Wife had spoken to me a few months earlier stating that it was the first time she had seen anyone at my property. He asked me about my solar panels. I told him that I would recommend anyone who was sited without any obstructions as it was still a good investment. I told him that it was the trees that obstructed my panels and from September to April it made a huge difference. I just added that I hoped that eventually the trees would get the Ash die back. He looked at me and asked if they were Ash trees. I was quite surprised as this was not the first time I was asked what the trees were. When the new neighbours moved in they had no idea as to the tree that was in his garden.
I don't know if it is me but when we were children we were taught the different sorts of native trees that grew. I guess most know the Horse chestnut or more commonly called the conker tree. As the Ash is widely seen in the Country I would expect all to know that as the Oak. Anyway they seem to be indifferent to the variety of trees.
I was having my tea when the doorbell rang. It was the young man from next door, he had bought me some more chicken manure. It was a wheelbarrow full. We spread it on various places of garden and then I told him that it would be enough for now. He did ask me if I needed any eggs, I politely told him that I was O.K. for now. I don't use many eggs.
He did his usual looking in my greenhouse and polytunnel. He noticed that things were beginning to gradually die and he told me that he was soon going to empty the greenhouse of the tomato plants and clean it all up. I will be surprised if he does it all on his own. More soon.
Thursday 9 October 2014
Miscallaneous
These are my runner beans that I set in my polytunnel at the beginning of August. Also set broad beans but they are no good and I think I will get nothing from them at all. I have had 6 feeds from the runner beans though.
I told him that I would call there the next day to fill up which I duly did yesterday morning.
I had a phone call later from my Best pal who I hadn't heard from for a while. Immediately when he came he told me about the price of fuel. It was the same price that he was paying at Morrison's in Chesterfield. He was surprised when I told him that I had been there earlier that day. It was nice to see him and time flew.
This morning I had a delivery, it was a lovely sunny morning and the guy remarked on how nice it was. He then told me that the rain was most welcome as it had been so very dry. I asked him where he had come from, he told me Newark. I just told him that we have had more than our share of rain.
Typical, this afternoon , well just after 1.30pm. we had another terrific downpour. Torrential rain and strong winds. It was so heavy that it affected my satellite and it was off for about 10 minutes. After the storm we had very little sun for the remainder of the day.
Finally for now, I must thank my mate for showing me how to upload my photos from my camera. More soon.
Friday 3 October 2014
Boiler service.
This morning I was out the front block paving driveway just doing a little cleaning waiting to see if the man would be here to service my LPG. boiler. Why was I waiting you might ask. It was like this.
In August I received an invoice for £114 from Calor. I didn't readily recognise it so I rung up and asked them what it was for. I was informed that this was for my annual service of my boiler. I told her that this was not due until late October, she then told me she could give me a date there and then. It was for today and that she would appreciate it if I sent a cheque for the said amount before the date the service would be due. I told her I would immediately send a cheque off in the post.
When I wrote a cheque I put a little note in with the invoice, addressed the envelope and stuck a stamp on it. Sealed the envelope and selotaped it too. I then noticed that I had left the cheque out of the envelope. I immediately steamed the stamp off the envelope wrote the address on a replacement envelope putting all the relevant things in this one stuck the stamp on and once again used selotape to make sure it was secure. The next day posted it and I thought that was that.
About 5 days later I had a phone call from Calor, the lady informed me that they had received the invoice, the note but no cheque. I was astounded and told her why. The reason being that I had originally omitted the cheque and had to steam the stamp off so I made doubly sure that all was in the envelope. She insisted that no cheque was there so I told her I would pay, there and then by debit card. After a few minutes she told me she could not gain access to the department where I could pay but she asked if it would be alright if within 24 hours someone could contact me on this number. I said that was fine. I heard no more from them. The next day I checked my bank account and nothing had been taken. However when I checked about 4 days later I noticed that the cheque had been cashed so that is why I wondered if the man would call to do the service.
It was the same guy from last year. He is very nice, very conscientious with his work. He took about an hour and a half to complete the service. He looks forward to seeing us again next year. Anyway he advised me to increase my service to level 2 as next year a full overhaul is recommended as the boiler is 5 years old. Level 2 covers me for all repairs on the boiler also the timer and thermostat. The big bonus is the this also includes the pump which is a big job having to drain the system, then refill and bleed the radiators. My mate had this job when my pump went about 3 years ago. At least it will save him the job of crawling on his hands and knees. More soon.
In August I received an invoice for £114 from Calor. I didn't readily recognise it so I rung up and asked them what it was for. I was informed that this was for my annual service of my boiler. I told her that this was not due until late October, she then told me she could give me a date there and then. It was for today and that she would appreciate it if I sent a cheque for the said amount before the date the service would be due. I told her I would immediately send a cheque off in the post.
When I wrote a cheque I put a little note in with the invoice, addressed the envelope and stuck a stamp on it. Sealed the envelope and selotaped it too. I then noticed that I had left the cheque out of the envelope. I immediately steamed the stamp off the envelope wrote the address on a replacement envelope putting all the relevant things in this one stuck the stamp on and once again used selotape to make sure it was secure. The next day posted it and I thought that was that.
About 5 days later I had a phone call from Calor, the lady informed me that they had received the invoice, the note but no cheque. I was astounded and told her why. The reason being that I had originally omitted the cheque and had to steam the stamp off so I made doubly sure that all was in the envelope. She insisted that no cheque was there so I told her I would pay, there and then by debit card. After a few minutes she told me she could not gain access to the department where I could pay but she asked if it would be alright if within 24 hours someone could contact me on this number. I said that was fine. I heard no more from them. The next day I checked my bank account and nothing had been taken. However when I checked about 4 days later I noticed that the cheque had been cashed so that is why I wondered if the man would call to do the service.
It was the same guy from last year. He is very nice, very conscientious with his work. He took about an hour and a half to complete the service. He looks forward to seeing us again next year. Anyway he advised me to increase my service to level 2 as next year a full overhaul is recommended as the boiler is 5 years old. Level 2 covers me for all repairs on the boiler also the timer and thermostat. The big bonus is the this also includes the pump which is a big job having to drain the system, then refill and bleed the radiators. My mate had this job when my pump went about 3 years ago. At least it will save him the job of crawling on his hands and knees. More soon.
Thursday 2 October 2014
Memory worries
I don't know what made me think of it but I decided to recall all of the motors I have bought in my life. The first was a Ford side valve van registration number was RCT 642 the second was another Ford AFE 625B followed by a Vauxhall van CFW 851L the next was a Datsun(Nissan now) ODO 826R. Followed soon after that was a Toyota Celica WDO 755T. The reason I got rid of the Datsun was that it was an Estate Car and in those days there were no rear windscreen wipers. After that I bought second hand of course because a new Jaguar XJS was very expensive. The number was 380 GYD. After that my mind has gone blank. I know I had a Citroen Ax. Gt followed by a Citroen diesel, then a Peugeot Turbo Diesel followed by a Honda Civic. I bought that for my Mother to get in and out of the car. I personally thought it was the worst car I ever bought. After that I bought a Hyundai Coupe but after a few months I had to get rid because I had an operation and found it difficult to get in and out of the car. I bought a Peugeot 207HPC G.T. and finally now I have this car which is a Vauxhall Corsa Ecoflex with zero excise duty. I often forget the registration number of this vehicle. I try to use the method that Police use with the first letter of names such as Alpha, Bravo, Charlie etc. Mind you I even forget some of those names.
My mate called yesterday and bought me 3 breeze blocks which I duly put in place. In fact I had a busy morning for me. He had bought me some yeast which I was grateful as I only had a couple of bread rolls left so this morning I did 2 lots of bread making then after that I did outdoor work.
I meant to get it done for 2 reasons, the first is that Tomorrow, I hope that Calor will come and service my LPG boiler and the second is that the weather is supposed to turn much more unsettled by the week end. More soon.
My mate called yesterday and bought me 3 breeze blocks which I duly put in place. In fact I had a busy morning for me. He had bought me some yeast which I was grateful as I only had a couple of bread rolls left so this morning I did 2 lots of bread making then after that I did outdoor work.
I meant to get it done for 2 reasons, the first is that Tomorrow, I hope that Calor will come and service my LPG boiler and the second is that the weather is supposed to turn much more unsettled by the week end. More soon.
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